Sports - Saratoga County offers perfect bike riding

The temperature is just right, the light is perfect and the traffic has let up so why not get your bike out and go for spin.

If you are a little out of shape or just not bike fit, start out from home and take a few tours around town. You might really enjoy seeing all that is happening in the southeast section.

This same area that formerly made you wish visitors would not stray for fear they would perceive a poor impression of our pride of place is fast becoming one of the most interesting and unique parts of our city.

It will make you wish you had been the creator of house wrap materials for there must be 30 houses in this sector wrapped and ready for siding.

There are several new private horse motels on Gridley and some adjoining streets. They are all private stables so your Visa or American Express card will not get your horse a stall, but I understand Grade I stake winners are always welcome at no charge.

What other city do you know where you can pedal by and see top notch equine athletes grazing outside their stalls just feet away from magnificent homes?

Most of the race horses have shipped to Belmont or Kentucky for the fall meets but a few horses were remaining when I peddled by this morning.

Don’t miss the mini horses on Gridley, they seem to enjoy visitors. And don’t forget to go south on Jefferson to see the wonderful new fence for the Harness Horse training track.

If you were previously unhappy that this fence prevented you from seeing the horses, you will be pleasantly surprised that the view of trotters and pacers training is not denied those who travel by slower conveyances.

If you have a good eye, you can pick the trotters from the pacers from the saddle of your bike.

This is just one of a thousand little nuances you will note when you slow down and begin to really see your surroundings.

So, now that you have pedaled all the way to the southern tier of the city, turn north and head toward the Old Bryan Inn.

Here is a good spot to cross 50 to get to North Broadway. This big, wide, beautiful street allows you plenty of cycling room and the grade is just right for putting a little staying power into your legs.

When you pass the last entrance to Skidmore turn around and start the long roll back into town.

You will feel exhilarated by your speed and lament a little less that one of those big, beautiful homes is not yours.

Once you get back to Broadway I recommend that you walk your bike until you choose another side street. Pedaling on Church or Washington Streets is pretty tricky too but most other streets in town require only that you stay alert and obey the traffic signals.

With good judgment and a few detours you can enjoy safe cycling all over town. The next time you need flowers, a baguette, need to post a letter or go to the bank, do it on your bike.

It is much easier than competing for a parking space and you will help to alleviate the parking problem too.

In your car you do not feel the subtle effects of the constant change happening around us every moment. These city rides will help to get you fit for cycling and they will also help for you to be better informed about decisions regarding use of space. What a good deal!

Once you have gotten your backside toughened up a little and your legs are feeling some power think about heading out to the open road. Get a Saratoga County map, fill your water bottles and get ready for a special treat.

All the things you miss when traveling 50 or 60 miles an hour in a car become visible. You will notice just how beautiful bar ditch wild flowers are and be amazed at the variety of them.

If you ride early in the morning look for the gossamer webs of spiders hanging from fences and especially bridge railings.

These intricate weavings of nature made visible by the dew of the morning have been an inspiration to artists for centuries.

Don’t get discouraged if some hills seem too steep the first time you try them, just shift down and crawl if you must or if you have to swallow your pride and walk up the hill, do it.

Every ride you take will make you stronger and eventually you will find that there are few hills in Saratoga County which are too much for the average, fit cyclist.

If you get to Fitch Road look for McMahon’s Thoroughbred Farm. Remember this road and go there again in the spring. Maybe you will see the 2011 Kentucky Derby winner on this same farm where Funny Cide was foaled in 2000.

Most of this year’s foals are weaned from their mothers now but a few late foaled colts and fillies are still with their damns.

There is another beautiful farm nearer to Saratoga Lake on Fitch Road and if you look closely you will see bluebird houses all around its perimeter.

What happiness it brings to see one of these deeply colored birds flying against the backdrop of lush green pastures and brilliant blue skies.

I never fail to give an extra nod of appreciation to the New York thoroughbred industry for all the green space their nurseries provide.

How very beautiful it is to ride by big, open pastures and enjoy the magnificence of horses in natural surroundings.

It is refreshing to one’s own spirit to see horses grazing, wildflowers blooming and birds flying as opposed to still another housing development which in turn creates more traffic than is safe or pleasant for cyclists.

There are hundreds of great rides in this county. I encourage you to “hit the road” and soak in still another special treat Saratoga offers to its residents.